Framing the World Anew

Photo courtesy of Lucia Darrow '15.

Lucia Darrow '15

Growing up, Lucia Darrow '15 saw the world through an artist's eyes. Her first advanced-mathematics course at Dickinson provided a different set of problem-solving skills and new ways to frame her worldview, and that worldview continued to expand when she spent a year abroad through the Dickinson in Bremen program. Learn about her fascination with ethnomathematics, why she loves living in Carlisle and how she stays focused.

I chose Dickinson because of its warm atmosphere, global focus and connection to the surrounding community. It’s incredibly nice to experience the positive relationship between Dickinson and Carlisle. I often go into town to find a quiet place to study, and I love the accessibility of fresh, local food from the Carlisle farmers market, Farmers on the Square.

Favorite place on campus:

It’s a tie between the Admissions patio and the reading alcove on the first level of the library.

To fulfill a requirement, I took an introductory cultural anthropology course during my first year at Dickinson. This led me to learn more about the interplay between the fields of mathematics and anthropology (there’s a surprising wealth of information on the subject). I’m fascinated by the field of ethnomathematics and the implications of cultural design and pattern studies. I was thrilled when some of the classic problems I studied in that anthropology class came up in my discrete-mathematics course the following semester.

On studying abroad:

Last year I studied abroad in Bremen, Germany. In my first month at the University of Bremen, I got in touch with the university's center for applied mathematics and began an independent-study project with a professor in the department. The experience really strengthened my confidence in the skills I’ve acquired at Dickinson.

As a kid, I wanted to be …

… an artist. I try to keep art as present in my life as possible, whether by spending time in a ceramics studio or taking watercolors with me on trips. I’ve found creating something freely is often the best way to clear my mind and stay focused.

Little-known talent:

Making fresh pasta.

Post-Dickinson plans:

I plan to pursue a graduate degree in applied mathematics.

On selecting a major:

I never expected to major in math, but I love that it challenges me to solve problems in new ways. The more math courses I take, the more certain I am of my choice.